A judge refused to release an alleged gunman who fired shots in a residential area, creating an “extremely dangerous” situation, in McHenry before calling 911 and saying he was an “active shooter” while claiming he killed his mother.
Michael T. Cartier, 40, of McHenry, was charged with possession of a firearm while being ineligible, reckless discharge of a firearm, false report of an offense and illegal possession of ammunition.
The McHenry Police Department responded around 4:15 p.m. on August 7 to the 3200 block of Hunter Path in McHenry for a report of a disturbance and possible shots fired.
Prosecutors said multiple residents called 911 to report hearing gunfire coming from the area of Cartier’s home.
Witnesses who were outside at the time reported hearing bullets flying nearby.
Cartier also called 911 on himself and reported that he was an “active shooter” and had killed his mother, prosecutors said.
Cartier was inside his residence and refused to exit when law enforcement arrived, police said.
The incident prompted a significant law enforcement response, with officers establishing a perimeter around the residence and evacuating neighbors from nearby homes.
Information received indicated there were possibly additional armed subjects in the residence, which was later determined to be false, police officials said.
The McHenry Police Department requested the assistance of the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (NIPAS) Emergency Services Team (EST).
NIPAS is a joint venture of suburban municipal police agencies to provide mutual aid during dangerous situations.
The McHenry Police Department has been a long-time member of NIPAS.
A preliminary investigation determined that Cartier may have been suffering from a mental health crisis, police officials said.
Officers were unable to determine if there were any other occupants in the residence or if medical services were needed.
A two-hour standoff ensued before Cartier voluntarily exited the residence and was taken into custody without incident.
Prosecutors said he threw a handgun from the residence and surrendered to police.
Officers entered the home and discovered that no one else was inside and that Cartier had not killed or injured anyone.
Cartier admitted to law enforcement that he fired approximately six rounds both inside and outside the residence, including firing at a transformer in his yard and into the air, prosecutors said.
Cartier was transported to Northwestern Medicine Hospital in McHenry for treatment.
Police said a handgun was collected at the scene and placed into evidence.
McHenry Deputy Police Chief Thomas Walsh said it turned out that no one had been shot and no one else besides the man was inside the residence.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges Cartier possessed the Springfield Hellcat handgun after having previously been denied the issuance of a Firearm Owner’s Identification card.
The complaint said Cartier endangered the safety of numerous people when he fired the gun several times.
Cartier fired several shots from the handgun into the floor of his home, “indiscriminately into the air” and towards an electrical transformer, the complaint said.
The complaint said the home is in a populated residential neighborhood surrounded by occupied, single-family homes.
The complaint also said a resident reported to police that they heard the bullets traveling through branches overhead.
The McHenry Police Department thanked the community for its patience during the incident.
“While the heavy police presence may be alarming to some, it is to ensure the safety of the community and the responding officers,” the agency said.
An arrest warrant was obtained for Cartier charging him with the felonies after he was hospitalized.
Cartier has since been released and was transported to the McHenry County Jail.
He appeared in Initial Appearance Court on Tuesday where the state’s attorney’s office filed a petition to detain him pending trial.
McHenry County Judge Cynthia Lamb granted the request after finding there were no conditions of release to mitigate the threat he poses.
McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese said she commends the responding officers for bringing an “extremely dangerous and volatile situation” to a peaceful conclusion.
“Firing a gun into the air in a residential neighborhood puts innocent lives at risk. We are incredibly grateful to all the officers who responded, patiently held the scene, communicated with this man, which ultimately resulted in him peacefully surrendering. Their professionalism and restraint brought an extremely dangerous situation to an end without anyone being hurt.”